Family Contribution Appeal

Sometimes the information students provided on the
FAFSA
no longer accurately reflects their or their family’s financial situation. There
are certain circumstances where financial aid professionals at the University
can review and update the student's FAFSA.

Please note that if the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA is "0"
the student has already been awarded the maximum amount of aid they are eligible
to receive. Also, not all appeals will result in additional financial aid.

*There are limitations to the circumstances the U.S. Department of Higher
Education will allow financial aid professionals to consider for appeal.
To remain equitable, our office will review all applications on a case-by-case
basis.

The following conditions may be considered for appeal:

Loss or reduction of income including but not limited to loss of employment, reduction
of pay, death of a parent or spouse, and reduction/loss of child support

Divorce or separation

Non-recurring income

High medical and/or dental expenses paid out of pocket

Impacted by a natural disaster

The following conditions generally may not be considered for appeal:

Information on the FAFSA resulted in a 0 Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The system will ask you to briefly explain your reason for this request. This does
not need to be in-depth. You will provide more information as part of the appeal
later in the process.

Once you have added the appeal, a tab should be listed on your account with a Family
Contribution Appeal for the aid year. Click on the tab to see your appeal tasks.

Click on appeal link that says either "Dependent" or "Independent PJ Expected Family
Contribution (EFC) Appeal" to show the tasks associated with the appeal. This
should include filling out the web form and submitting third-party documentation
to support and strengthen your appeal.

Once you have filled out the web form and uploaded your supporting third-party
documentation, click the Submit button to submit your appeal

Once all requested documentation is submitted, the student will receive an email
notification of the outcome of the review within five to seven business days.
Please note this time may be extended during peak processing times.

Possible Outcomes of a Family Contribution Appeal

No change: The change in circumstances did not impact the student's
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or financial aid.

Reduced EFC but no change in financial aid offer: The change in
circumstances reduced the EFC but not change it enough to impact the student's
financial aid eligibility.

Reduced EFC and adjustments made to federal loans: The change in
circumstances reduced the EFC and qualified the student for some
subsidized loan funding to replace the equivalent
unsubsidized loan funding.

Reduced EFC and adjustments made to state and/or federal grants: The
change in circumstances reduced the EFC and qualified the student for additional
state and/or federal grants.

Reduced EFC and adjustments made to state and/or federal grants and federal loans: The
change in circumstances reduced the EFC and qualified the student for additional
state and/or federal grants as well as qualifying for some
subsidized loan funding to replace the equivalent
unsubsidized loan funding.